‘Fit-notes’ from nurses and physios to ease GP pressure

Nurses and physiotherapists can now provide ill patients with “fit-notes” to stay off work in an attempt to ease pressure on GP services. A range of health staff including pharmacists and occupational therapists are certifying illness sign-offs under moves to free up doctors to tackle the treatment backlog.

NHS Grampian has successfully completed a pilot scheme at a GP practice which staff described as “really positive” and a step in the right direction.

David Cooper, a GP from Old Machar Medical Practice in Aberdeen, said: “It is a more efficient way for us to work as a practice. For the nurses, physiotherapists and others who are working closely with a patient, it makes sense for them to be able to work on fit-notes without having to refer back to a GP for sign off. “We have found it works particularly well for those with chronic, long-term conditions or illness and the process behind the scenes is also now electronic so it saves paper, time and energy.”

Paul Gray, a physiotherapist at Old Machar, said: “It makes the patient’s journey easier and it is better for people to access them from those who are assessing your physical capabilities."

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Source: The Times, 6 April 2023